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Europe-Russia

Russian soldiers during their swearing-in ceremony in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on 16 November 2024. © Arkadii Budnitskii/Anadolu via AFP

Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines
Frontline losses force Russian military to hunt for soldiers in Southeast Asia

As the conflict in Ukraine drags on and Russian casualties mount, Moscow is stepping up its armed forces recruitment campaigns in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Myanmar.

Subscribers only Operations 02.07.2026

The Funky Monkey, in Brussels.© Google Maps

Spy Way of Life | China, Europe
Funky Monkey, the Brussels pub popular with European diplomats and Chinese state media

Across the globe, spies gather in inconspicuous places to meet contacts and hold discreet conversations. This week, Intelligence Online visits the Funky Monkey in Brussels, nestled between the offices of the EU's diplomatic service and those of China's state news agency.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 26.06.2026

China, France
Paris orders Thales to halt cooperation with Peking University

As part of its export control measures, Paris has finally put a stop to further cooperation between the French electronics group Thales and the highly regarded Peking University.

Subscribers only Defence, Contractors 22.06.2026

Belgium, France, Vietnam
Hanoi uses diplomacy and its 'united front' to tap into Europe's AI and nuclear tech

A growing number of associations of Vietnamese experts abroad, overseen by Hanoi's embassies, reflect the Southeast Asian nation's desire to make the most of its diaspora in strategic sectors such as civil nuclear and AI.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 19.06.2026

Brussels, a hub for Chinese spies (3/3).© Stéphane Oiry

Deep Dive | Belgium, China, European Union
European Commission beefs up security in face of China threat

After years of lax security despite being increasingly targeted by foreign intelligence services, the European Union has stepped up its game recently, even as the Commission seeks to set up its own intelligence unit.

Subscribers only Agencies, Operations Deep Dive - China's spies in Brussels 18.06.2026

Brussels, a hub for Chinese spies (2/3).© Stéphane Oiry

Deep Dive | China, European Union, France
China's learned European influence network

Beijing maintains a network of pseudo-independent entities and academic ties across Europe which it uses to spread its narrative among member states and within European institutions. The network is sometimes also used for espionage and influence operations.

Subscribers only Operations, Information Wars Deep Dive - China's spies in Brussels 17.06.2026

China, France
French court revokes clearance for Rafale instructor who previously trained Chinese pilots

A court ruling has revealed that a French former fighter pilot hired as an instructor by Dassault Aviation in 2019 was deemed a security risk and had his clearance revoked after it emerged that he had previously trained pilots for the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

Subscribers only Defence 11.06.2026

A Dassault Rafale C fighter jet at Montoir-de-Bretagne airport, near Saint-Nazaire, on 19 February 2026.

Spotlight | Netherlands, Philippines
Battle at ICC over who will defend former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte

ICC trials attract the cream of international lawyers - and their entourage of consultants, investigators and communications specialists. The trial of Rodrigo Duterte has in recent weeks notably seen a fierce behind-the-scenes battle among lawyers seeking to defend the former Filipino strongman.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel, Contractors 02.06.2026

A demonstration by supporters of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte outside the ICC in The Hague, on 28 November 2025.

France, Uzbekistan
Tashkent, a new rear base for French domestic security in Central Asia

A newly-created position for a French internal security attaché in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is to be filled in mid-2026. The candidate will be responsible for covering Central Asia.

Subscribers only Agencies, Back-Door Diplomacy 16.04.2026

Afghanistan, France, Pakistan
Afghan spy granted asylum visa after three-year battle with French authorities

French courts have delivered an asylum visa to an Afghan intelligence officer, who fled Kabul for Pakistan in 2021 before the Taliban took power, giving him the right to seek asylum in France. The decision comes nearly three years after his initial applications were rejected and he was forced to go into hiding in Afghanistan.

Subscribers only Agencies 09.04.2026

On 31 March 2026, the Nantes Administrative Court of Appeal overturned a ruling concerning an Afghan officer who had been refused a visa.

France, Russia, Thailand
From Paris runway crash to Bangkok hangar: how Russian-Thai networks acquired a Boeing 737

Intelligence Online has obtained documents that show how a Russian-Thai network, suspected of evading civil aviation sanctions, acquired an airliner after it was involved in an accident at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport in 2022.

Subscribers only Operations, Contractors 02.04.2026

Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport, near Paris, on 13 December 2025.

China, Russia
SVR's shadow looms over founder of Night Wolves biker gang's trip to China

Alexander Zaldostanov, president of the pro-Putin Night Wolves motorcycle club, visited Chinese students at Fudan University in late February. He was accompanied by two individuals affiliated with Russian intelligence services.

Subscribers only Operations, Information Wars 25.03.2026

The leader of the Russian nationalist Night Wolves biker gang, Alexander Zaldostanov, in Kaliningrad, Russia, on 9 May 2022.

China, United States
Beijing increasingly distanced from International Energy Agency as US stamps its authority

China is one of 13 association countries which have historically sent energy analysts to work at the IEA and delegates to attend events. But its relationship with the Paris-based body has begun to fray.

Subscribers only Operations, Contractors 24.03.2026

International Energy Agency (IEA) headquarters in Paris, on 11 March 2026.

China, Italy
Transnational repression: Rome steps up pressure on Beijing

After long having sought Beijing's help in fighting the mafia, Italian police have suspended cooperation with China's Ministry of Public Security following a cyber attack on its anti-terrorism and organised crime division. Eight Chinese nationals suspected of spying on and harassing a Chinese dissident have recently been deported from Italy.

Subscribers only Agencies, Cybersecurity 13.03.2026

The Agencies' Gazette
Journalist's 'prison lottery', new ODNI appointment, from Tracfin to the AFD, cybersecurity in Manila

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community.

FranceAhead of his trial, journalist Alex Jordanov launches ‘prison lottery'

United StatesODNI shuffles strategic comms department

FranceFinancial intel analyst joins national development agency

PhilippinesNational cybersecurity council on Senate's agenda

Subscribers only Agencies 02.03.2026

Spotlight | China, Russia
Ukrainian intelligence-linked think tank urges Brussels to broaden China sanctions

A report by a think tank that works within the orbit of Ukrainian intelligence has detailed China's supply chains for Russia's new Geran-3 drones. Grist to the mill as the European Union looks to toughen its sanctions against China.

Subscribers only Operations, Defence 23.12.2025

European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, 16 July 2025.

Germany, South Korea
Berlin's intelligence alliance with Seoul in the balance

Still reeling from Seoul's missteps, Germany's BND is closely monitoring the major shake-up underway within South Korea's National Intelligence Service and its new approach in the face of Pyongyang.

Subscribers only Agencies 08.12.2025

The headquarters of the Federal Intelligence Service BND, in Berlin, Germany.

China, France
French court upholds expulsion order for Chinese national accused of spying on diaspora

A French court has dismissed a Chinese national's challenge to an expulsion order signed in September by then-interior minister Bruno Retailleau. French domestic intelligence accuses the man, who has lived in France since 1986, of playing a key role in the surveillance of the Chinese diaspora.

Subscribers only Operations 27.11.2025

French former interior minister Bruno Retailleau signed the expulsion order for a Chinese national described as playing a key role in the surveillance of the Chinese diaspora.

France, India, Russia
Indian Navy picks small French firm to equip its Russian helicopters

The French aerospace equipment manufacturer Aresia has secured a contract with the Indian Navy to equip eight of its Russian Kamov-28 helicopters with carry-on systems, Intelligence Online has learned.

Subscribers only Defence 24.11.2025

Kazakhstan, Russia
Rosatom losing out to China to build Kazakh nuclear plants

Kazakhstan chose Russia's state-owned Rosatom to build its first nuclear power plant, but tensions are already brewing. Chinese competitor CNNC is meanwhile making significant inroads in the country.

Subscribers only Contractors 04.11.2025

Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant will be located near the village of Ulken, in the south-central part of the country.

The weekly summary

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Europe-Russia

Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines
Frontline losses force Russian military to hunt for soldiers in Southeast Asia

Spy Way of Life | China, Europe
Funky Monkey, the Brussels pub popular with European diplomats and Chinese state media

China, France
Paris orders Thales to halt cooperation with Peking University

Belgium, France, Vietnam
Hanoi uses diplomacy and its 'united front' to tap into Europe's AI and nuclear tech

Deep Dive | Belgium, China, European Union
European Commission beefs up security in face of China threat

Deep Dive | China, European Union, France
China's learned European influence network

China, France
French court revokes clearance for Rafale instructor who previously trained Chinese pilots

Spotlight | Netherlands, Philippines
Battle at ICC over who will defend former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte

France, Uzbekistan
Tashkent, a new rear base for French domestic security in Central Asia

Afghanistan, France, Pakistan
Afghan spy granted asylum visa after three-year battle with French authorities

France, Russia, Thailand
From Paris runway crash to Bangkok hangar: how Russian-Thai networks acquired a Boeing 737

China, Russia
SVR's shadow looms over founder of Night Wolves biker gang's trip to China

China, United States
Beijing increasingly distanced from International Energy Agency as US stamps its authority

China, Italy
Transnational repression: Rome steps up pressure on Beijing

The Agencies' Gazette
Journalist's 'prison lottery', new ODNI appointment, from Tracfin to the AFD, cybersecurity in Manila

FranceAhead of his trial, journalist Alex Jordanov launches ‘prison lottery'

United StatesODNI shuffles strategic comms department

FranceFinancial intel analyst joins national development agency

PhilippinesNational cybersecurity council on Senate's agenda

Spotlight | China, Russia
Ukrainian intelligence-linked think tank urges Brussels to broaden China sanctions

Germany, South Korea
Berlin's intelligence alliance with Seoul in the balance

China, France
French court upholds expulsion order for Chinese national accused of spying on diaspora

France, India, Russia
Indian Navy picks small French firm to equip its Russian helicopters

Kazakhstan, Russia
Rosatom losing out to China to build Kazakh nuclear plants

The weekly summary

About Intelligence Online

Subscription

Intelligence Online on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Intelligence Online

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Indigo Publications' websites

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Europe-Russia

Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines Frontline losses force Russian military to hunt for soldiers in Southeast Asia

Spy Way of Life | China, Europe Funky Monkey, the Brussels pub popular with European diplomats and Chinese state media

China, France Paris orders Thales to halt cooperation with Peking University

Belgium, France, Vietnam Hanoi uses diplomacy and its 'united front' to tap into Europe's AI and nuclear tech

Deep Dive | Belgium, China, European Union European Commission beefs up security in face of China threat

Deep Dive | China, European Union, France China's learned European influence network

China, France French court revokes clearance for Rafale instructor who previously trained Chinese pilots

Spotlight | Netherlands, Philippines Battle at ICC over who will defend former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte

France, Uzbekistan Tashkent, a new rear base for French domestic security in Central Asia

Afghanistan, France, Pakistan Afghan spy granted asylum visa after three-year battle with French authorities

France, Russia, Thailand From Paris runway crash to Bangkok hangar: how Russian-Thai networks acquired a Boeing 737

China, Russia SVR's shadow looms over founder of Night Wolves biker gang's trip to China

China, United States Beijing increasingly distanced from International Energy Agency as US stamps its authority

China, Italy Transnational repression: Rome steps up pressure on Beijing

The Agencies' Gazette Journalist's 'prison lottery', new ODNI appointment, from Tracfin to the AFD, cybersecurity in Manila

FranceAhead of his trial, journalist Alex Jordanov launches ‘prison lottery'

United StatesODNI shuffles strategic comms department

FranceFinancial intel analyst joins national development agency

PhilippinesNational cybersecurity council on Senate's agenda

Spotlight | China, Russia Ukrainian intelligence-linked think tank urges Brussels to broaden China sanctions

Germany, South Korea Berlin's intelligence alliance with Seoul in the balance

China, France French court upholds expulsion order for Chinese national accused of spying on diaspora

France, India, Russia Indian Navy picks small French firm to equip its Russian helicopters

Kazakhstan, Russia Rosatom losing out to China to build Kazakh nuclear plants

The weekly summary

About Intelligence Online

Subscription

Intelligence Online on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines
Frontline losses force Russian military to hunt for soldiers in Southeast Asia

Spy Way of Life | China, Europe
Funky Monkey, the Brussels pub popular with European diplomats and Chinese state media

China, France
Paris orders Thales to halt cooperation with Peking University

Belgium, France, Vietnam
Hanoi uses diplomacy and its 'united front' to tap into Europe's AI and nuclear tech

Deep Dive | Belgium, China, European Union
European Commission beefs up security in face of China threat

Deep Dive | China, European Union, France
China's learned European influence network

China, France
French court revokes clearance for Rafale instructor who previously trained Chinese pilots

Spotlight | Netherlands, Philippines
Battle at ICC over who will defend former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte

France, Uzbekistan
Tashkent, a new rear base for French domestic security in Central Asia

Afghanistan, France, Pakistan
Afghan spy granted asylum visa after three-year battle with French authorities

France, Russia, Thailand
From Paris runway crash to Bangkok hangar: how Russian-Thai networks acquired a Boeing 737

China, Russia
SVR's shadow looms over founder of Night Wolves biker gang's trip to China

China, United States
Beijing increasingly distanced from International Energy Agency as US stamps its authority

China, Italy
Transnational repression: Rome steps up pressure on Beijing

The Agencies' Gazette
Journalist's 'prison lottery', new ODNI appointment, from Tracfin to the AFD, cybersecurity in Manila

Spotlight | China, Russia
Ukrainian intelligence-linked think tank urges Brussels to broaden China sanctions

Germany, South Korea
Berlin's intelligence alliance with Seoul in the balance

China, France
French court upholds expulsion order for Chinese national accused of spying on diaspora

France, India, Russia
Indian Navy picks small French firm to equip its Russian helicopters

Kazakhstan, Russia
Rosatom losing out to China to build Kazakh nuclear plants